Scarus vetula are not endangered.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Scarus vetula have become one of the most important biological factors in the erosion of coral reefs. They also effect the distribution and abundance of Caribbean sponges by feeding on them (Dunlap, 1998). The decrease of coral reefs and sponges have caused a decrease in the tourist industry's revenues (Wheeler, 1975).
Scarus vetula are a large contributor to the production of sand through their digestion of corals. They are also believed to be a major reef attraction (Wheeler, 1975).
Scarus vetula are active diurnal herbivores. They scrape algae, preferably turf algae, that is on flat surfaces and coral from coral reefs with their unique beak (Bruggemann, 1994). S. vetula crushes the coral and algae mixture finely in the pharyngeal mill, and the indigestible sand is excreted (Wheeler, 1975). It has also been found that S. vetula feeds on sponges (Dunlap, 1998).
Scarus vetula range from the West Indies to Florida. (Breder, 1929)
Biogeographic Regions: atlantic ocean (Native )
Scarus vetula are found in the tropical coral reefs of the Caribbean and are, therefore, restricted to relatively shallow water (Boschung, 1983).
Aquatic Biomes: reef
Scarus vetula have four rows of scales on their cheeks. They have no longitudinal band on their head or body, but a red band near the edge of the caudal fin is present (Breder, 1929). S. vetula have teeth that form beak-like plates, similar to parrots. The lower plate is hidden by the upper plate when their mouth is closed. S. vetula can be identified by a long, single dorsal fin and a truncated caudal fin (Boschung, 1983). S. vetula exhibit sexual dimorphism, females are a drab bluish-brown, with a pale band running along the lower side of the fish, males are green-blue, with scales that have yellow centers and distinct yellow lines running from the mouth to the eye (Wheeler, 1975). S. vetula young have two white stripes and a white belly (Smith, 1997).
Other Physical Features: bilateral symmetry
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Scarus vetula reproduce sexually with external fertilization. Breeding occurs throughout the year, with most activity in the mornings. Their breeding system is characterized as harem polygyny: one male mates with multiple females. The supermale in the group is in a terminal phase, where he is brightly colored. The supermale spawns with an individual female by first swimming in circles around the females and then as they increase their speed and tighten their circles the female joins the supermale. At this time the gametes are released into the water (Clavijo, 1983). Other males spawn with females in groups (Smith, 1997). S. vetula have both an egg and a larval stage and a primary and a terminal phase where they change colors (Lowe-McConnell, 1987).
The queen parrotfish (Scarus vetula) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a parrotfish, in the family Scaridae. It is found on reefs in the tropical West Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Other common names include blownose, blue chub, blue parrotfish, blueman, joblin crow parrot, moontail, okra peji and slimy head.[1] The young males and adult female queen parrotfish are a reddish-brown color, and quite different in appearance from the bluish-green color of the final phase male. This is a common species throughout its range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as "least concern".[1]
Adult queen parrotfishes are heavy-bodied fish with fusiform (spindle-shaped) bodies and beak-like mouths, growing to a length of about 60 cm (24 in). They have two different color phases. Among smaller fish, the sexes are similar but nearly all individuals are female, being reddish-brown or grayish-brown with a paler head and a white lateral stripe low on each flank, and that remains the color scheme for females even when they grow larger.[3] At an average length of 25 cm (10 in), females change sex to become males. The larger males move on to a new color phase, becoming pale bluish-green, with blue spots near the mouth, yellowish streaks between the mouth and eye, and pale blue bars on the pectoral fins.[3][4]
The queen parrotfish is native to the tropical West Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the southern Gulf of Mexico. It is found on both rocky and coral reefs at depths down to about 25 m (80 ft).[1]
Queen parrotfish is a protogynous hermaphrodite[5] and are often found in small groups of four or five, consisting of one final-phase male and several first-phase individuals, probably females. During courtship, the male constantly circles a female. When she accepts his advances she joins him and they circle together, both simultaneously releasing spawn into the sea. After fertilisation, the eggs hatch and the developing larvae form part of the plankton.[4]
The queen parrotfish feeds primarily on the algal turf it can scrape off surfaces, and coral from coral reefs,[6][7] but may also eat sponges and other encrusting organisms as it feeds. In the process, it swallows a lot of mineral particles which are deposited on the seabed as fine sand. It is a diurnal fish, and rests on the seabed or hides in a crevice at night, immersed in a layer of mucus that it exudes and which may help to disguise it from predators. It is preyed on by sharks, groupers and eels.[3][4]
Parrotfishes are known for the bioerosion that they cause. The stoplight parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) is an "excavator" and degrades the surface of coral colonies, but Scarus vetula is a "scraper", causing erosion of carbonate materials from corals but to a lesser extent than S. viride.[8] Both species have robust jaws with crenelated margins and strong jaw muscles, and large individuals of S. vetula can do considerable damage to corals as they scrape off their food.[8]
The queen parrotfish (Scarus vetula) is a species of marine ray-finned fish, a parrotfish, in the family Scaridae. It is found on reefs in the tropical West Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Other common names include blownose, blue chub, blue parrotfish, blueman, joblin crow parrot, moontail, okra peji and slimy head. The young males and adult female queen parrotfish are a reddish-brown color, and quite different in appearance from the bluish-green color of the final phase male. This is a common species throughout its range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as "least concern".
